Born With A Divine System

The city of Willow Fall; months after the devastating attack was still in shambles. Redevelopment efforts were all over the city, as thousands of lives were abruptly interrupted.

But it seemed, the damage was limited to the urban areas. The outskirts of Willow Fall were mostly, unaffected. At least physically, but the scars of loss aren't so easily healed.

Naomi was in her room. The curtains were shut, and the lights turned off. She was on her bed, scrolling away on her feed, when she heard something.

*DING*

Someone was at the door, and she could guess who it was.

Sigh

As she got up, tangled strands of her hair fell. It dragged against the sullied ground, collecting streaks of dirt as it moved. As she opened her door, dust stirred up, getting into her eyes and nose.

*Cough*

*Cough*

She ran down stairs, trying to escape the dust cloud. Hearing another ring of the doorbell, she only got more irritated, causing her to step on a crushed soda can.

"Ow!"

Losing balance she fell back with a thud, grabbing her foot to soothe the pain.

"Dammit!"

Standing up, she went to the door, just as another *DING* came.

"Yes!" She yelled as the door swung open, revealing an older, yet graceful figure.

Her orange hair was pulled into a neat chignon, the strands cascading down her face.

"Naomi, look at this mess! I thought you'd take better care of yourself."

"Yes, I am, and I'm doing just fine on my own." She replied.

"Just look at your clothes, and your hair."

The lady pointed out, grabbing a piece of paper that stuck to her hair.

"You couldn't even tell this was stuck there. This just won't do, I'm coming in." She said as she came in.

'Really, she just barges in whenever she feels like it'

Grabbing the paper from the floor, about to crumple it.

"Huh?" Something caught her eye.

She was stuck staring at it; a drawing she… they made years ago.

'Fuck this!'

She yelled internally.

"I… can't deal with this." She whispered.

The paper tore easily in her trembling hands, its fragments fluttering to the floor like wilted petals.

'You left me, without a word and I'm still a mess'

She bit her tongue, her body wincing in pain.

"I needed that."

"Naomi I've prepared a bath!"

"Ugh!" She groaned.

'Really, she thinks I'm helpless'

She pressed her fingers against her eyes, trying to rub away her exhaustion.

"Thanks Aunt Miller, but I can handle my own bath."

"I won't have any excuses!" She yelled across the room.

'It's not as if I wasn't going to take one today'

She pouted mentally.

With no room for discussion left, Naomi simply did as she was told.

She opened the door, her discarded clothes landing on the floor. The air was thick with the scent of lavender, and steam shrouded the room. She looked in the mirror, seeing how messy her hair had gotten, before the reflection blurred.

Her hand brushed the bathwater, its milky surface scattering into waves, and the warmth soothing to the touch. She sank into the tub, the warm water a soothing touch against her muscles. Steam, thick and mixed with fragrance, rose in a slow, mesmerizing dance. The veil moved before her eyes, its comforting presence leading her further into drowse. As the water gently lapped, her own heartbeat was all that echoed through the room.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to relax, to be completely free.

Sigh

She was relieved of her woes, and travelled to a world ever so silent.

An hour passed by, and reluctantly deciding she didn't want her skin to wrinkle any further, she rose from the embrace of the tub. The water sloshed gently against the sides, breaking the silence. She felt a shiver down her spine, as the cool air met her damp skin.

Her footsteps were soft, yet muffled across the tile floor. Water droplets hit the floor as she reached for the towel. Wiping the water off her skin, she applied lotion, and changed into new clothes. A simple pink top, and blue shorts.

Still drying her hair, she opened the door.

"Alright, I'll admit it was amazing. But seriously, at least give a little heads up before your next visit?"

As the steam finally cleared, she saw the living room, and it was completely spotless. Every bit of it looked brand new.

"Wait… you cleaned the entire place too? You didn't have to do this… I-I don't deserve it." She muttered to her self.

The lady came, looking at Naomi regrettably.

"And what makes you think that?" She asked kindly.

"I can't even keep my own life together, let alone this house."

She lowered her gaze, clenching her teeth.

"If only I was a better si-"

She was pulled into a deep embrace, a warmth that only a mother could give. And that's when the tears started flowing.

"Don't ever blame yourself for another person's choice, just don't." The lady whispered.

"Even if they didn't want to hurt you, they still did. And that's on them, you did nothing wrong."

Naomi broke down, holding her even tighter.

"I miss him so much."

"I know, my dear, I know. I miss them both."

Naomi looked up, seeing her Aunt holding back tears as well.

"Thank you."

And they stayed in silence, comforting each other, as the loss of a son, or a brother, is not something that can easily be overcome.

But as the two sought closure in each other, the twilight hour cast the city in ethereal light.

An old, battered van sped down the street, stopping to a halt in front of one of the houses. And out of it stepped Nikko, accompanied by Maya. The driver leaned on the horn impatiently, his gruff voice breaking the tense silence.

"Could you two hurry it up? I ain't in this business for free, you know."

"Sorry, just a moment, please!" Maya yelled over her shoulder, her tone apologetic but sharp with urgency.

Nikko adjusted the strap of a worn leather bag slung over her shoulder; something she picked up on their journey, as her brow furrowed.

"Hopefully she hasn't spent all our money." She muttered under her breath, her words carrying an edge of worry.

They were here, at last, but the sight of the familiar street did little to ease the knots in Nikko's stomach. The houses that once stood proud and full of life now seemed weathered and withdrawn, as if mourning the weight of the devastation they had endured. Cracked vases and withered flowers whispered tales of neglect, and even the wind carried a forlorn chill.

Nikko led the way, her footsteps hesitant as she approached her childhood home. Her heart pounded as she knocked on the door; a hollow, echoing thump against the wood. The sound carried through the still air, unanswered, the silence gnawing at her mind.

"God dammit, Mum, please be okay." Nikko murmured, panic creeping into her voice as she banged on the door again.

When no response came after the thirteenth knock, she crouched by a familiar potted plant, her fingers searching frantically beneath its cracked base. Relief washed over her as she felt the cold, metallic outline of the spare key.

She hesitated for only a moment before unlocking the door, its hinges creaking loudly as it swung open. The interior greeted them with an unnatural silence, the air thick with dust and the feeling of abandonment. Moonlight filtered in through cracked blinds, casting long, eerie shadows over furniture that looked exactly as it had the day she left. The house felt frozen in time, a snapshot of a life lost to the ravages of the world.

"It's just like I remember." Nikko whispered, her voice trembling.

Maya followed closely behind, her expression a mix of unease and curiosity.

"It's too quiet." She said softly, her eyes scanning the room as if expecting something, or someone to emerge from the gloom.

Nikko moved further into the house, her movements slow, as each step weighed down by the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. Finally, she reached the kitchen door, her hand trembling as she pushed it open.

The sight that met her eyes stopped her breath.

There she was, her mother, sitting in the dim light, her frame hunched and her hands clutching a worn photograph. Her face, once vibrant and full of warmth, was now etched with deep lines of sorrow. The hollow look in her eyes mirrored Nikko's own, a shared emptiness born of loss.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Nikko?" Elara's voice broke the silence, her whisper tinged with disbelief.

She set the photograph down, her hands trembling as she reached out as though afraid her daughter might vanish if she moved too quickly.

Nikko nodded, her throat constricted by unshed tears. The words she wanted to… needed to say remained trapped in the pit of grief within.

Elara's eyes brimmed with tears as she stood shakily, closing the distance between them.

"You're...you're alive." She choked out, her voice breaking.

"I'm here, Mum."

Nikko managed, her voice a whisper. She leaned into her mother's touch as Elara cupped her face, the warmth of her hand a painful reminder of what they had lost.

Nikko froze as her mother's arms wrapped around her. The embrace was tight, almost desperate, but Nikko couldn't move, she couldn't breathe.

Her arms moved on their own, clutching her mother so tightly it hurt. Was this real? Could it be real? This embrace, familiar and distant at the same time brought tears faster than she could stop them. She didn't want to let go. Not again. Never again.

"I thought I'd lost you forever." Her mother's voice broke, trembling.

'Naomi will be so relieved' She though, before realizing something was wrong.

"Where...where's Zephyr?" Elara asked, her tone desperate, the flicker of hope in her eyes a knife twisting in Nikko's chest.

Her gaze fell, unable to meet her mother's eyes. The weight of the truth pressed down on her like a leaden shroud.

"He's...he's gone, Mum."

Elara's face crumpled, her daughter broke apart right before her very eyes. She pulled Nikko into another embrace. The sharing of their pain made it just a little bit easier to bear.

Behind them, Maya lingered near the doorway, her hands gripping the fabric of her clothes tightly. She felt like an intruder in this private moment, but the anguish in Nikko's voice kept her rooted to the spot.

After a long, tearful silence, Elara finally pulled back, her hands still resting on Nikko's shoulders. Her gaze shifted to Maya, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

"Who's this?" She asked, her voice hoarse.

Nikko glanced over her shoulder.

"Oh, this is the first time she's come over."

"This is Maya." She said quietly.

"Oh, I remember now. You always talked about her." Elara recalled.

"She...she helped me survive. She's the reason I made it back."

Maya stepped forward, offering a small, hesitant smile.

"Hi." She said softly.

Elara nodded, her expression softening.

"Thank you." She said simply, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Thank you for bringing my baby home."

She brought Maya into their hug.

"You'll always be welcome here." Her smile radiated warmth, one that was lost long ago.

The three of them embraced in the dim light of the living room. Though the house felt frozen in time, the reunion brought with it a flicker of life. A small, fragile spark that brought healing.

But then, breaking the fragile peace, a sudden loud honk from outside shattered the air. The sharp sound of the car horn blasted through the air.

"God dammit!" Maya muttered, her eyes widening in realization. She hurriedly reached for the door, pulling it open just enough to peer out.

The old van that had dropped them off still idled at the curb, the driver leaning on the horn with little concern for the quiet sorrow within the house.

Honk! Honk! Honk!

The horn blared again, long and insistent.

Nikko blinked, her heart sinking. She had completely forgotten about the driver, and the bill.

"I... I forgot about him." Nikko whispered, a small, bitter laugh escaping her lips. She turned toward her mother, the weight of the moment crashing back down on her.

"Sorry, Mum. We... we have to take care of this first."

Elara looked at her daughter with a weary smile, before reaching into her pockets and giving Nikko some money.

"You've got to handle it. The world hasn't stopped turning, has it?" She said softly, almost to herself.

Nikko stepped outside without another word, her expression unreadable as she walked towards the vehicle. The driver, still perched on the edge of his seat, scowled at her as she approached.

"Hey, you two should've taken care of this already!" He barked, his voice rough and impatient.

"I'm not some charity case."

Nikko, a little sheepish, fumbled for the crumpled bills.

"Here." She said, her voice steady as she handed him the money.

"Sorry about that, we got... distracted."

The driver grumbled as he accepted the cash, glancing over the bills with a critical eye.

"Took you long enough." He muttered.

"You're not the only one that has places to be." With that, he slammed the door of his van, muttering under his breath as he drove away, his engine growling as he disappeared into the night.

Nikko returned to the house with a long exhale, relieved to have put an end to the annoying interruption. She pushed the door open slowly, her gaze meeting theirs as she entered the room.

"Done?" Maya asked, prompting a thumbs up from Nikko.

She chuckled weakly, shaking her head.

"I can't believe I forgot about that." She muttered.

"After everything... it seems so small." She turned back to her mother, her expression softening.

"But, it's done now."

Elara, still standing near the chair, gave a quiet laugh, her eyes twinkling for the first time since Nikko left.

"Even in times like these, it's the small things that ground us." She said, voice steady but full of warmth. She grabbed onto the necklace she wore, her lips moving ever so silently, a prayer or perhaps a memory of one was given. A thanks to whatever God was still out there, a thanks to whoever saved what was left of her world.

Nikko smiled, grateful for the small rest from the weight of the world. It wouldn't last forever, she knew that much. But in this moment, surrounded by her mother and Maya, it felt like they might just survive it all. Together.

The moon set, and the sun rose on a new day.

Nikko sat in the living room, her mind swirled with thoughts of Naomi. The weight of Zephyr's death pressed down on her more than ever, and she knew she couldn't keep it to herself any longer. Naomi is no less than a sister to her, and the bond they shared was something she could never betray, even now.

Her mother's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Are you sure you're ready, Nikko?" Elara asked, her hand resting gently on her daughter's arm. The worry in her mother's eyes mirrored Nikko's own unease.

Nikko nodded, her throat tight with emotion.

"I have to tell her, Mum." She said softly, her gaze flickering toward the door.

"She deserves to know. She is a part of all of this too."

Elara gave a reluctant smile, her fingers brushing Nikko's cheek.

"Just… don't push her too hard. You're both going through a lot."

"I know." Nikko whispered.

"But I can't keep running from it."

Maya, who had been standing silently in the corner, her own emotions unreadable, finally spoke up.

"I'll go with you." She said quietly, her voice warm with understanding.

"You don't have to do it alone."

Nikko gave a grateful nod, appreciating Maya's presence. The support meant more than she could express.

"I want to do this, alone… please." She softly pleaded.

Maya withdrew, but understood her sentiment.

"I'll be waiting for you then." She said with affirmation.

With one last look at her mother, Nikko turned toward the door, heading out.

She saw it, the home that belong her second family. The quiet house felt too still, like the calm before a storm. She could feel Naomi's pain, waiting for her, just on the other side of that door.

The walk to the door felt like an eternity. Each step heavier than the last, as if the air itself was trying to hold her back.

Nikko paused right in front of the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She could already hear the sound of footsteps inside. The girl went about her day, oblivious to the storm that was about to hit her.

Taking a deep breath, Nikko knocked once, softly at first, but then louder as the silence stretched. She couldn't wait any longer.

A few moments passed, and the door creaked open, revealing Naomi standing in the doorway. Her hair was tied neatly, her face tired, though the faintest hint of surprise flickered in her eyes.

"Nikko?" she asked, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips. But Nikko could see the weariness beneath it. She could feel it too.

Nikko swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet Naomi's gaze.

"I need to talk to you." She said quietly, her voice strained.

Naomi's smile faded slightly, her brow furrowing in concern.

"Is everything okay?" The girl put up a farce; she knew where her brother went to. Who he went to see, but she held unto hope.

"No." Nikko whispered, her throat tightening.

"It's not. It's about Zephyr… he's gone, Naomi."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and sharp. Nikko watched as Naomi's face paled, her eyes wide in disbelief. For a long moment, there was nothing but silence.

'Fuck! Why did I say it like that'

The girl resented herself for being so insensitive.

But finally, Naomi spoke, her voice small and broken.

"What do you mean, he's gone? No… no, that can't be true."

"I'm sorry." Nikko murmured, her own heart shattering as she saw the devastation unfold on Naomi's face.

"I'm so sorry. But he didn't make it."

Naomi's knees buckled beneath her, and she stumbled back, her hand grasping at the door frame for support.

"No… No!" She cried, her voice rising in panic.

"Zephyr can't be gone! He can't be…"

Nikko rushed forward, but Naomi pulled away, her chest heaving with the weight of her grief. The tears came then, falling freely as Naomi's world collapsed around her.

"I can't… I can't do this again." Naomi sobbed, her body shaking with each wave of emotion.

"First mum, and now him? Why… why does it keep happening?"

Nikko stood there, helpless, watching Naomi fall apart. She wanted to do something, anything, but all she could do was stand by as Naomi's pain flooded out.

"I'm so sorry." Nikko whispered again, stepping closer and gently placing a hand on Naomi's shoulder.

"But you don't have to go through this alone. I'm here. I'll always be here."

Naomi's sobs subsided into quiet sniffles as she leaned into Nikko, her breath shaky. They stood there together, silently mourning. The two of them, bound by grief, by memories, and by the shattered pieces of a world that could never be whole again.

After a long, agonizing silence, Naomi pulled away slightly, her eyes red and swollen.

"I… I don't know what to do."

"You don't have to do anything." Nikko replied softly.

"Just… let it out. It's okay."

Naomi nodded, her face still pale, while Nikko cleaned the tears off her own face.

"I thought I was done crying… but it's like all the tears just flood back once you say it." Nikko whispered, her heart aching with every word.

And for the first time in forever there was a moment of quiet, and the first step toward healing, however long that might take.

(A/N): That's a wrap for the year. Till 2025, I wish you all a happy new year!

Meanwhile, on some unknown world.

Atchoo

A boy had been sneezing for days.

"Jeez, hope I didn't catch a cold."